The Jamie Lloyd Company has spoken out against a wave of racial abuse directed at a cast member of its upcoming production of Romeo & Juliet. The company, helmed by director Jamie Lloyd, issued a statement on Friday condemning the online harassment and affirming their commitment to supporting their artists.
The controversy erupted after the full cast list for the show was made public, which includes notable names such as Tom Holland and Francesca Amewudah-Rivers in the titular roles of Romeo and Juliet, respectively. Other cast members include Freema Agyeman, Michael Balogun, Tomiwa Edun, Mia Jerome, Daniel Quinn-Toye, and Ray Sesay.
In the statement, the Jamie Lloyd Company emphasized the need to cease the racial abuse and warned that further harassment would be reported. “Following the announcement of our Romeo & Juliet cast, there has been a barrage of deplorable racial abuse online directed towards a member of our company,” the statement read. “This must stop. We insist that they are free to create work without facing online harassment.”
The company reiterated its commitment to fostering a supportive environment for its artists, stating, “We will continue to support and protect everyone in our company at all costs. Any abuse will not be tolerated and will be reported. Bullying and harassment have no place online, in our industry, or in our wider communities.”
Describing the rehearsal room as “full of joy, compassion, and kindness,” the company emphasized its celebration of the cast’s talent and its dedication to the production of Romeo & Juliet. The play is scheduled to run at the Duke of York’s Theatre from May 11 to August 3, marking Holland’s return to the stage in a major role after his stint in Billy Elliot: The Musical.
Jamie Lloyd is renowned for his bold interpretations of classic plays, having previously helmed productions featuring acclaimed actors such as Kit Harington, Tom Hiddleston, and Emilia Clarke. Romeo & Juliet is hailed as “a pulsating new vision of Shakespeare’s immortal tale of wordsmiths, rhymers, lovers, and fighters,” marking Lloyd’s first Shakespearean production since Richard III in 2014.
Despite the online backlash, the Jamie Lloyd Company remains steadfast in its commitment to creating a vibrant and inclusive theatrical experience, undeterred by the negativity directed towards its cast members.
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